Starting block



Feb. 24, 1931. A, M, B RRON 1,793,898

STARTING BLOCK Filed Oct. 8. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 24, 1931 A. M. BARRON 1,793,393

STARTING BLOCK Filed Oct. 8, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 [nueniof Feb. 24, 1931. BARRON 1,793,898

STARTING BLOCK Filed 0312. 8. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 X U .i

L Q M Inventor y w zmwm.

A ttomey Patented Feb. 24, 1931 ALBERT MILTON BARRON, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA STARTING BLOCK .Applicationfiled October 8, 1929.,S e1ia1 No. 398,195.

This invention relates to certain revisions and refinements in starting blocks for athletic track use, such as for instance, the type of starting blocks shown in Patent No. 1,709,832,

" granted to me under date of April 23, 1929.

Starting blocks of this character are devised with a View toward obviating a stumbling and uncertain start on a running track and to afford a splendid and dependable means to facilitate a vigorous spurt from the starting point and enable the runner to lit erally spring or bound forth into immediate and energetic motion. 1

In developing the structures of this application, I have evolved andproduced two distinguishable sets of starting blocks such as differ in minor details to enable them to be I successfully employed on an indoor track in a gymnasium or the like, or on an out-ofdoors track in an athletic stadium.

My principal aim is to improve upon and simplify the structure shown and described in the aforesaid patent and to provide characteristically different front and rear starting blocks, and to embody in the rear start ing block an adjustable foot rest such as will promote greater comfort by affording the proper degree of inclination, and thereby 'insure firm footing.

Generically stated, each set of blocks coniprises front and rear foot rests having novel means for detachable association with the track whereby to permit the blocks to be arranged in a desirable longitudinally spaced relationship as well as in proper transverse spaced relationship.

, Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an out-ofdoors track showing the particular species of blocks employed for such outside use.

Figure 2 is an edge or end elevational View of the structure seen in Figure 1..

Figure 3 is a view like Figure 1 showing an indoor track with the indoor starting block. Figure is a longitudinal sectional View showing the end or cross sectional shape of the blocks.

Figure 5 is an enlarged central transverse or vertical section on the lines 5-5 of Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a rear view of the outsiderear starting block.

Figure 7 is a corresponding view of the front startingblock.

Figure 8 is a rear view of the rear indoor starting block. up

Figure 9 is a corresponding View of the front indoor block.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentarysection showing the attachment of one of the floor anchoring studs of the type of block shown in Figure 8. y t

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional and elevationalview showing the anchoring stake attachment of the type of blocks seen in Figures 6 and 7, the sections being approximately on the plane of the line ll1lof Figure 6.

ilttcntionis first invited to the out-of-doors type or species of starting block seen in lfigures 1,2, 5, (i, and 7. y

its seen in Figures 1 and 2, the reference character 12 designates an ordinary out-ofdoors running track, such as is shown on the modern athletic stadium. The front block is distinguished by the reference character 13 and the rear block by the reference character 14. These diiferslightly in construction. The front block is preferably of a sturdy pieceof wood and of substantially triangular cross section as indicated at 15. This provides a substantially flat bottom for rest on the track and a slanting foot resting surface. This is preferably covered with a sheet of rubber 16, or analagous anti-slipping material.

Secured by bolts 17 (see Fgure 11) to the under side and at opposite ends are the laterally directed end portions 18 of the downwardly inclined pointed ground anchoring stakes 19. These permit the block to be firmly anchored in the groui'id as shown in Figure 2.

The rear block 14; located on the side of the track opposite to that of the front block. The rear block is of sectional construction.

.It includes a relatively stationary base 20 45 block 32. Both of, these blocks are provided having anchoring stakes 19 of the construction already described, These are slightly larger than the front stakes but are of the cover 22 having a flap or apron 23 extending down across the front. bevelled edge. of the.

base 20.

It will be noted that thereferencechan.

1 acters 24 and 25 designate leaves which are hingedly connected together to hinge the foot rest21 tothebase 20.. On the rear center offthep'art' 21 is a toot-he d strip or rack member 26 which constitutes a keeper for cooperation; with a pawl 27. This pawl ishingedly "mounted on brackets 28 on the base and the pawl is actuated; by springs 29 to engaging fat position. This allows the angularity'or i'n-.

clination of the foot resting surface of the rear block to be adjusted according to the desire of the runner.

With this arrangement the blocks 13 and;

1e aresimply driven down by way of the stakes into the ground" and suitably anchored.

Thus, it ispossible to arrange the blocks in, proper longitudinal and transverse spaced relationship, to facilitatedependable footing.

As a new product of manufacture, a rear.

startingblock comprising a base, a triangular section hingedly secured to said base, said section having a toothed rack, and a spring .pressed latch pawl carried by said base'and having its free end selectively cooperable with the teeth of said rack. V I

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature. ALBERT MHJTOEN BARRQN.

V In Figure 3, the reference character 80 designates anlindoor track on which the front and rear blocksf 311 anclj32 are detachably mounted. Therear block 32is somewhat in thenat'ur'e ofa threshold in that it includes a relatively thin block 33- having a slanting surface 34 for the ball, 01? toe portion, of the foot.

of a shape like that shown at 15 in Figure 2. Here I provide a corrugated anti-slipping rubber pad 36 for the top. The inclination.

of this padded top surface is gradual" in com parison, to the bevelled; surfacei3 lofjthe rear on their under side and adjacent their opposite ends with attaching plates 37 carrying taperedstuds 38 adapted to be fitted remov ably into sockets 39-bored, drilled, or. other-- Wise formed in the floor, as seen inFigure 4. This enables the blocksto be bodily removed:

and adjusted.

A careful consideration of the d'escri'ption in connection with. the drawings Willfenable the reader to obtain a clear understanding of the refinements and improvements. embodled 1n thls new arrangementv of starting block construction therefore amore lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and reanv rangement of details coming withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted, to in.

actual'practice if desired.

I claim The front block includesabody portion3 5" 

